LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read opposing viewpoints and take a side; evaluate the pros and cons of schools editing yearbook photos.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 2: Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.

 

CASEL: Social awareness

KEY VOCAB

retaliation

conform

cringe

Lesson Plan: Should Schools Edit Photos?

In recent years some schools have come under fire for altering students’ yearbook photos without their permission. Is this an unacceptable form of censorship, or a necessary safety measure?

Table of Contents:

1. Preparing to Read

2. Reading and Discussing

3. Building Comprehension and Vocabulary

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

1. Preparing to Read

Before you read the debate “Should Schools Edit Photos?” ask your students the following pre-reading question: 

What are the pros and cons of schools editing students’ yearbook photos? 

2. Reading and Discussing

  • Have your students read the debate “Should Schools Edit Photos?” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have one student read one side of the debate and another student read the other side.
  • After they’ve read the debate, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed? Remind them to vote in the poll at the end of the story. 
  • Next, have your students answer the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, either working in small groups or independently. 


Close-Reading Questions
The following questions can be shared in printable or interactive form from the Resources tab. 

  1. In Henry’s opinion, what is the main reason that schools edit students’ photos?
  2. According to Isabella, what is the main reason that schools edit students’ photos?

Critical-Thinking Questions

  1. How would you feel if you found out your yearbook photo had been edited? Explain.
  2. How do you think schools should respond if students wear something that violates the dress code on picture day?

3. Building Comprehension and Vocab

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Quiz

  • Vocab Builder

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity: 

Time for students to go INSIDE THE DEBATE! Once students have taken a side in the debate, have them work in small groups to further research the issue of yearbook photo editing. Then, they’ll use what they’ve learned to prepare and present a role-play based on one of two scenarios.

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